Survival of the fittest Animal Adaptations

POST IT! Mimicry Camouflage Migration Survival instincts – what do animals do in order to survive? Migration Camouflage Hibernation Mimicry

Adaptations An adaptation is a physical or behavioural characteristic that an animal has which allows it to better survive in its environment Adaptations can be: Physical (structural)- something the animal HAS Behavioural- something the animal DOES

Adaptations An animal that is well adapted to its environment is more likely to survive, therefore more likely to produce offspring and contribute to the next generation

Camouflage Protective colouration to aid an animal to survive in its environment. Test your predator skills!

Ever tried to scare someone? Camouflage is used to help animals attack their prey as well as defend themselves from predators.

Stonefish in red sea, stone flounder,

Camouflage Some animals hide in plain sight – how?? By clever use of colours and patterns, even textures and shapes. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/7978844.stm

Camouflage Play the hidden animal game http://www.sheppardsoftware.com/content/animals/hidden%20animals/Hidden%20Animals.htm

Hibernation Escaping the harsh winter by hiding in a safe and warm place and then sleeping until it is warm again. Deep sleep in which an animal's body temperature drops to about the temperature of the environment.  Body activities, such as heartbeat and breathing are slowed causing the animal to need very little food.  Examples:  bats, woodchucks (birds), snakes, bears. Animals live off of the fat that is stored in their body. 

Migration (behavioural adaptation) Movement of animals to reach better conditions of temperature, food and shelter.

Mimicry (physical adaptation) When a weaker animal copies a stronger animals' characteristics to warn off predators.

The Monarch butterfly is poisonous and birds leave it alone The Monarch butterfly is poisonous and birds leave it alone. The Viceroy butterfly has evolved to look like or “mimic” the Monarch butterfly, but is not poisonous at all. Birds leave it alone too, as they can’t tell the difference.

Mimicry (physical adaptation) The mimic octopus http://youtu.be/t-LTWFnGmeg

Mimicry (physical adaptation) What are these caterpillars mimicking?

Mimicry (physical adaptation) The Leaf Fish waits for its prey amongst leafs of plants, with its head pointing down. The coloration of the fish makes it hard to distinguish from a dead leaf.

Behavioral Adaptations What do you think it is meant by this term? List some behavioral adaptations of humans when they are cold/hot? What about animals?

Behavioural Adaptations Penguin huddling

Behavioural Adaptations Lizard playing dead to avoid being eaten

Behavioural Adaptations Trapdoor spider, builds a trap door, lies in wait of prey and uses the element of surprise

Behavioural Adaptations Monkey using heavy rock to crack nuts

Behavioural Adaptations Fish swim in schools. Why? http://youtu.be/Le13by2WM70